I'm sorry about your loss. I know how it is. I believe I would go to heaven if I died today. My faith has helped me in many hard times in my short life. My faith helps me to not let things bother me so much because I know I'll go to a better place when I die and I thank God for the joys in my life here on earth.

As for the Catholic comments, I don't think it's right to put down another religion. I don't really know that much about the Catholic church, but the recent scandals haven't helped them much. I'm sure there are good Catholics and bad Catholics just like in any religion. I myself have not been to impressed with the Catholics I've been around, but that hasn't been to many. They seem to think they can do whatever they want to then go to confession and everything is good. I don't think all Catholics are like that though. I don't believe in everything my church as a whole is suppose to believe, since it seems to be moving to a more liberal view, but that's why we all need to be involved and express our opinions and remind other's of what God tells us in the Bible. Just my thoughts. It looks like this will be a hot topic.

 

>I know I am going because I have a personal relationship
>with Jesus Christ. Through Him is the only way to heaven.
>Just being a good person is not enough to get in, you must
>know Jesus.
>
>
>P.S. This is what puts me to sleep at night. It is my
>belief, yours may be diffrent and that good for you. Thats
>what makes this country great. What ever works for you.

I'm not trying to start a fight, but I'm intrigued - where would I go if I died? I'm a good person, but I don't attend church (ever) and religion really has never been important to me. But isn't Jesus supposed to love every last one of us? If so, why would He send me some place uncomfortable when I croak? I've always looked at it like this: when I die, I picture this waiting room. Like the doctor's office. When my turn comes up, I go in and sit down with God/Jesus/The Boss (not Springsteen) and chat for a while about whatever - my life, weather, whatever, and that will be all the proof I need to believe in Jesus, God, and all "that good stuff". I figure this makes sense because apparently you're given several chances, on of which is right before you die, to acknowledge Jesus - at that point, you can say he doesn't exist or whatever, but he would be theoretically sitting there with you, lecturing you on all the stupid stunts you pulled throughout your life. This is not a ploy of mine to "get out" of having to go to church. I just don't see how an organized religion would be necessary - it's like choosing between a Ford or Chevy. Everyone's got their favorites, but in the end, it's whatever makes you happy. If you're happy not going to church but believing in God, then rock on. You'll be a better person. If church is your gig, then go for it. But like I said, I don't see how I would be sent somewhere nasty after I go for the longterm sleep.

You have any ideas? Like I said, I'm not trying to be offensive or inflammatory. I'm just curious.

Feel free to email me at bigmattxxl(No Email Addresses In Posts!) if you want to avoid the inevitable schittstorm that all this religious talk is going to stir up.

XXL

 

>You have any ideas? Like I said, I'm not trying to be
>offensive or inflammatory. I'm just curious.


Sounds interesting. What book or books, do you read or sermons do you listen to, to come up with your ideas and base your theology on? Just curious.

You said that were given an opportunity to acknowege Jesus just before we die. I believe that could happen too. Is acknowegement enough or do you think there might be something more? Is being a good person good enough? What does Jesus have to say about this? But what if death comes upon us suddenly before we have a chance to repent and ask for forgivness of our sins? Can we be saved without a savior? Can our own good works get us into heaven? I believe were given opportunities through out our entire lives. The Bible says in Matthew 10:32 that, <if we acknowlege Him in public as his friend, He will acknowledge us as his friend before his father in heaven, but if we deny Him in public, He will deny us before His Father (God) in heaven>. If we're in this denial when we die, do you think it might be to late? I mean if we we were to die suddenly like in a car crash or from a stray bullet durning a robbery, would we have enough time? And if not, what happens then?

 

>
>>You have any ideas? Like I said, I'm not trying to be
>>offensive or inflammatory. I'm just curious.
>
>
>Sounds interesting. What book or books, do you read or
>sermons do you listen to, to come up with your ideas and
>base your theology on? Just curious.
>
>You said that were given an opportunity to acknowege Jesus
>just before we die. I believe that could happen too. Is
>acknowegement enough or do you think there might be
>something more? Is being a good person good enough? What
>does Jesus have to say about this? But what if death comes
>upon us suddenly before we have a chance to repent and ask
>for forgivness of our sins? Can we be saved without a
>savior? Can our own good works get us into heaven? I believe
>were given opportunities through out our entire lives. The
>Bible says in Matthew 10:32 that, <if we acknowlege Him in
>public as his friend, He will acknowledge us as his friend
>before his father in heaven, but if we deny Him in public,
>He will deny us before His Father (God) in heaven>. If we're
>in this denial when we die, do you think it might be to
>late? I mean if we we were to die suddenly like in a car
>crash or from a stray bullet durning a robbery, would we
>have enough time? And if not, what happens then?

Good point - but that's the point of the "waiting room". It's kinda like "Well, you're dead now. Here's your chance." The passage you wrote about only indicates two situations: accept God publicly or deny Him publicly. I've done neither. I do believe in God, but I don't practice a religion. I don't need to. As far as us not having enough time, seeing as how God could zap a robber with a lightning bolt (or make his car not start or make the gun misfire), it would be pretty shady for God to say "tough luck XXL. You should've been prepared." Then God basically would be like a used car salesman or something - smashing you with the fine print. I think the worst case scenario for me would be that I croak, meet God in his office, and he tells me that I've got to go back and try again.

And that is the gospel according to XXL.

XXL

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-14-03 AT 12:50&nbsp;PM (EST)]i'm just curious, but how does that guys have a personal relationship with god?
oh and by the way my view point on religion is not a good one. i dont go to church, but i have before. i think that all religion in general has been taken to extreme way to much througout history. religion has killed more people throughout history than every disease known to man. even right hear people are getting fustered about catholic bashing or something to that nature. the afgahns over seas have their religion and they would like to kill us and probably some specific religious groups. i'd say you can believe what ever you want, but keep it to youself and dont worry about other people with different religions and what they do. take care of yourself.

 

I voted for the last choice. I try to keep my mouth shut about this because people can get very offended by religous talk. I am an atheist and will probably stay that way. Most of my friends are also. Alot of people think that one cannot have morals without religion. This is definately not true.

 

I tend to see the bible as a book written many centuries ago by men who had no way of foreseeing the world today. I believe that their interpretations of "god's word" may have been biased and therefore am not so sure what to believe. I feel many things written in the bible are generalative and can be interpreted in many different ways. I think it's a book to instill values in people. I have a religion. It's called the religion of society. Be nice to everyone, help out when you can, leave your mark on people and you will make a difference. I know the difference between right and wrong and live my life adhering to those morals. I have stronger morals than many christians I know and i certainly hope with all my heart there is a god. Because I want a second chance, and a third and a fourth...etc. to live this wonderful gift of life.

 

>I tend to see the bible as a book written many centuries ago
>by men who had no way of foreseeing the world today. I
>believe that their interpretations of "god's word" may have
>been biased and therefore am not so sure what to believe. I
>feel many things written in the bible are generalative and
>can be interpreted in many different ways. I think it's a
>book to instill values in people. I have a religion. It's
>called the religion of society. Be nice to everyone, help
>out when you can, leave your mark on people and you will
>make a difference. I know the difference between right and
>wrong and live my life adhering to those morals. I have
>stronger morals than many christians I know and i certainly
>hope with all my heart there is a god. Because I want a
>second chance, and a third and a fourth...etc. to live this
>wonderful gift of life.


amen

 

Thanks you very much sir

 

"Through Him is the only way to heaven. Just being a good person is not enough to get in, you must know Jesus."


According to "your" god.

I'm not necessarily anti-religion, but I do find it funny how some think that you must "worship" or "know" this entity or that entity -- which has never been proven to exist by the way -- or you will not go to heaven (yet another entity and/or place that is not proven to exist).

Think about it. You worship something (again, possibly a fictitious entity) that will condemn to hell anyone that does not worship it? Even though they are a good person? Why does one consider this entity good?

WORSHIP ME AND OBEY MY RULES OR YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED TO HELL! This could easily be compared and contrasted to other beings that are not considered good.

 

I have to say that I was raised Baptist, but, don't really go to church. I don't believe that if the key. I hear all the time, that this religion is "THE ONE" or that religion is "THE ONE". I know of a sect of Jewish here in Cincinnati, that believe that they are the chosen ones and come judgement day will be the only ones accepted into Heaven. One religion says you can't drink, one says you can. One says you can't get divorced, one says you can. With Catholics, you get Christened shortly after birth, because you are born with original sin. With Baptists, you are Baptised, as I was, when you are ready to accept Christ in you life. Which one is right. I don't believe that any one religion is the right one. The reason I quit going to one church was that our minister was against the KY lottery. That was all you heard about every Sunday. I quit another one, because, the members were more interested in what kind of car you drove, or job you had, or house you lived in, than what kind of person you were. This was why I quit going to church all together. I don't like to be anywhere that someone else has a chance to alter my beliefs to fit their own, just because of who they are or what position they hold. I want to make my own decisions, not be brainwashed. I do believe in God, and Jesus. I do try to live my life the way I feel they want me to. I believe in the Golden Rule, and try to live by it everyday. I try to do what I feel is right, in my heart. I'm not saying that I'm any better than anybody else, just that I try to be as good as I can. I'm not afraid of dying. I have told my ambulance and fire crews before that if we are on a run and someone pulls a gun, that I would take the bullit in order to try and disarm them. Atleast then, I would have two people who can do something for me. If I don't, we could all end up dead. I have left nothing to regret. My family knows how I feel about them, because I tell them everyday. They know how I feel, and that if something does happen, I did my best.

Just my $.02
Bluehawk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; 285/75R16 BFGoodrich T/A KO, MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.

Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, and fender flares.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-15-03 AT 10:29&nbsp;PM (EST)]sorry for the long post before, just got to thinkin.

Bluehawk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; 285/75R16 BFGoodrich T/A KO, MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.

Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, and fender flares.

 

>I'm not necessarily anti-religion, but I do find it funny
>how some think that you must "worship" or "know" this entity
>or that entity -- which has never been proven to exist by
>the way -- or you will not go to heaven (yet another entity
>and/or place that is not proven to exist).

As well, God has never been proven to not exist. Ditto for Heaven.
This is the whole basis for faith.
>
>Think about it. You worship something (again, possibly a
>fictitious entity) that will condemn to hell anyone that
>does not worship it?

All religions of the world have negative consequences for those who don't adhere to them. None of them say, "do what you want, live how you want, and when you die you will receive all the benefits and rewards..etc., etc.

According to the teachings of Christ, people condemn themselves to Hell. It really boils down to a "default" deal. According to the teachings of Christ, God has made provision so that will not happen, but you must accept it. (I say, "According to the teachings of Christ" because the word "Christian" and "Christianity" have been degraded, slandered, and worn by reprobates in the name of advancing their own agendas so much that they've gained a certain stigma.)

Even though they are a good person?

Yes, even though they are a "good" person. However, God is sovreign. What is "good" to man, may not be "good" to God. God says our righteousness is as filthy rags in His sight. And the Bible says that, "there is none righteous, no not one" so what would one constitute as being "good"? Good morals? If there is no God, then there is no evil. Hence, morals are non-existent.

Why
>does one consider this entity good?

Because, according to the teachings of Christ, God sent His only Son, to die in place of the sinner, so that they would not be condemned to Hell. Saving someone from an eternity of torment and suffering would be considered "good" in anyone's book, I believe.

>
>WORSHIP ME AND OBEY MY RULES OR YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED TO
>HELL! This could easily be compared and contrasted to other
>beings that are not considered good.

Well, if there is a God, then by definition he has the RIGHT to feel this way whether He does or not, wouldn't you agree?

Fortunately, I'm glad that God, (the one I love and serve) is the way He is, and not the way people want Him to be.

"The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." Psalms 53:1

Chuck

 

 

people that love me would weep, the God that I worship and love and have a "personal" relationship" with, would greet me at the gate and show me my life. He would laugh at the funny/dumb things I did, cry at the stupid/mean things I did, celebrate the wonderful/loving things I did, and introduce me personally to the Son who made it possible for me to enjoy eternal life with them.
And THEN......... ALL my questions will be answered.
Don't put faith in "religion". Don't let anyone/thing get between you and your Father.
Find out for yourself. NO ONE knows if they are going to heaven but the Big Guy.